Florida Beverage Legislation: 2017 Pre-Session Review of Beverage Bills
The 2017 Session of the Florida Legislature will include consideration of 16 beverage-related bills.
The 2017 regular session of the Florida Legislature kicks off Tuesday, March 7, 2017. This 2-month session will see the consideration of 16 bills that could affect the Florida beverage industry as soon as July. While it is unlikely that all of these bills will reach a floor vote, one of them–Senate Bill 106–is already close to getting a full vote.
The following chart provides a summary of the bills. We’ll check back in on the status of these bills at the session’s midpoint.
Bill #
Sponsor
Companion
Summary
Status
HB 81
Avila
SB 106
Eliminates the single-purpose restriction on package stores.
Allows employment of minors at stores that derive less than 30% of revenue from sale of alcoholic beverages.
Referred to Careers and Competition Subcommittee; Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee; Commerce Committee
Favorable by Careers and Competition Subcommittee; YEAS 8 NAYS 7
On Committee agenda– Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee, 03/07/17, 1:00 pm, Morris Hall
HB 141
Stevenson
SB 166
Allows craft distilleries to have tasting rooms.
Allows certified Florida Craft Distilleries to conduct tastings and sales at fairs, trade shows, expositions, and festivals.
Reduces annual license fee to $1,000 for craft distilleries.
Referred to Careers and Competition Subcommittee, Ways and Means Committee, and Commerce Committee
HB 423
La Rosa
SB 388
Prohibits wine retail coupons provided by manufacturer or distributor.
Allows breweries and vendors to engage in financial transactions that do not involve the direct sale or distribution of beer between manufacturer and vendor.
Referred Careers and Competition Subcommittee; Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee; Commerce Committee
HB 679
Clemons
SB 554
Allows self-distribution of kegs only by breweries that do not have a distribution agreement and product no more than 7,000 half-barrel kegs per year.
Referred to Careers and Competition Subcommittee; Commerce Committee
HB 689
Burton
SB 400
Allows smaller restaurants to qualify for special retail license.
Eliminates the temporary license fee on transfer of a license.
Reduces the annual license fee for craft distilleries to $1,000.
Referred to Careers and Competition Subcommittee; Ways and Means Committee; Commerce Committee
HB 853
Goodson
SB 1040
Brewery or importer may give branded glassware to vendors for on-premises consumption.
Referred to Careers and Competition Subcommittee; Commerce Committee
HB 983
Altman
SB 1254
Person who knowingly serves a visibly intoxicated person or a minor is liable for injury and damage caused by that person.
Service of a minor is deemed to be with knowledge unless the minor provided a government issued ID.
Referred to Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee; Careers and Competition Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee
HB 1069
Brodeur
SB 750
Franchisor may not terminate a franchise except for good cause.
Applies to “craft beer franchises.”
Filed
SB 106
Flores
HB 81
Prohibits package stores within 1,000 feet of schools.
Eliminates single-purpose restriction for package stores after a specific time period.
Allows employment of minors at stores that derive less than 30% of revenue from sale of alcoholic beverages.
Referred to Regulated Industries; Rules
CS by Regulated Industries; YEAS 9 NAYS 1
CS/CS by- Rules; YEAS 7 NAYS 4
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
SB 166
Steube
HB 141
Allows craft distilleries to have tasting rooms.
Allows certified Florida Craft Distilleries to conduct tastings and sales at fairs, trade shows, expositions, and festivals.
Referred to Regulated Industries; Commerce and Tourism; Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government; Appropriations
CS by Regulated Industries; YEAS 5 NAYS 4
Now in Commerce and Tourism
SB 388
Hutson
HB 423
Prohibits wine retail coupons provided by manufacturer or distributor.
Allows breweries and vendors to engage in financial transactions that do not involve the direct sale or distribution of beer between manufacturer and vendor.
Referred to Regulated Industries; Commerce and Tourism; Rules
SB 400
Perry
HB 689
Allows smaller restaurants to qualify for special retail license
Eliminates the temporary license fee on transfer of a license
Reduces the annual license fee for craft distilleries to $1,000.
Referred to Regulated Industries; Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government; Appropriations
On Committee agenda– Regulated Industries, 02/22/17, 12:30 pm, 301 Senate Office Building –Temporarily Postponed
SB 554
Young
HB 679
Allows self-distribution of kegs only by breweries that do not have a distribution agreement and product no more than 7,000 half-barrel kegs per year.
Referred to Regulated Industries; Commerce and Tourism; Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government; Appropriations
CS by Regulated Industries; YEAS 6 NAYS 3
Now in Commerce and Tourism
SB 750
Latvala
HB 1069
Protect Florida Small Business Act.
Does not apply to brewery-distributor relationship
Referred to Regulated Industries; Judiciary; Rules
SB 1040
Artiles
HB 853
Allows brewery or importer to give vendor branded glassware for on-premises consumption.
Filed
SB 1254
Rouson
HB 983
Person who knowingly serves a visibly intoxicated person or a minor is liable for injury and damage caused by that person.
Service of a minor is deemed to be with knowledge unless the minor provided a government issued ID.
